Play horse



M. E. LAWRENCE I 2,264,2l4

PLAY HORSE Nov. 25, 1941.

Filed Jan. 4, 1941 Patented Nov. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,264,214 y PLAY HORSE Mary Ellen Lawrence, New York, N. Y.

Application January 4, 1941, Serial No. 373,082 g 7 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in play horses, particularly adapted for use by children.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth hereinafter and in part will'be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawing, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description,serves to explain the principles of the invention. I

Of the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a typical and illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the two halves being spaced apart.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a novel and improved play horse, particularly adapted for use by children, which can be economically manufactured, is relatively light in weight, durable and does not interfere with the forward, rearward or lateral mobility of the child. A further object of the invention is the provision of a toy or play horse which can be worn by a child and may be made to simulate the various movements of a real horse.

Referring now in detail to the present preferred and illustrative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hollow body which is illustratively shaped in the form of a young horse and is composed of two longitudinal halves l and II, forming the right and left sides of the body, neck and head portions of the horse. At approximately the center of the halves I0 and H, and corresponding to the point where a rider would normally be seated, the halves are shaped to provide an aperture I2 which will fit around the waist portion of the child, as the child stands within the play horse. From the marginal portions of the aperture l2 extend upwardly two pieces of fabric l5, one attached to each half, at the upper end of which is provided a belt l6 threaded through loops I! attached to the fabric, so that the child may securely fasten the play horse to his body at his waist.

pointed out in the appended Means are provided for securing the two halves I0 and H' together in proper relation, and for this purpose,'small holes 20 are provided all along the junction line through which a tape 2| may be laced and tied to bring the two halves together and securely hold them.

The play horse, according to the present invention, is provided with front and rear legs, and for simplicity the front pair 23 are formed integral with each other, as are the rear pair 24. As shown with the front pair 23, the upperportion of the front and rear legs of the horse are pendulously or pivotally connected to the lower portion of the body l0 and ll by means of tapes 26 which are laced through corresponding holes in the upper-ends of the legs and the lower edge of the body, thereby permitting the legs to swingfreely so as 'to simulate the various walking, prancing or other movements of the horse.

In order to givemovement to the legs and to provide for'control of their movement at the will of the child, a link 28 is pivotally connected to a reinforcing bar 29 at the front portion of the rear legs 24 for movement in a vertical plane, and the forward end of the link 28 is connected to a relatively wide spring member 30 which may be sprung around the ankle to form a connection between the childs left leg and the horses rear legs 24. This structure is duplicated for the front legs so as to form the connection between them and the right ankle of the child.

Preferably, and as illustrated, the illusion of the child riding on the horse is heightened by providing each of the halves l0 and H with an integral portion 32 shaped to simulate a childs hip, thigh, leg and foot and a stirrup 33 may be attached by a strap 34 and held in proper position with reference to the foot. At the upper part of the hip, the integral portion 32 is curved inwardly so as to merge into the childs body at the belt I6.

Suitable ornament and appendages may be added,- as desired, and in addition to the illustrated ears, mane, tail and reins, the horse may be caparisoned.

While various materials may be used for the body and leg portions of the horse, I preferably use papier mach which is light in weight and relatively strong and may be suitably painted and decorated to be attractive.

With the child in the position shown, the halves I0 and H securely laced, the belt 16 tightened around the childs waist portion, and with the anklets connecting the front and rear legs to the childs right and left ankles respectively, the horse's hoofs are slightly off the ground, and

as the child moves his legs forward, rearward or sideways, the body of the horse is moved accordingly, with the legs having a faster motion, or the horses legs may be moved, as desired without substantial body movement of the horse.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

1. A play horse including in combination a hollow body shaped to resemble a horse and having a central aperture in which a child may stand with the body fitted around his waist and hips, simulated leg and thigh members attached'to the body and merging with the childs waist, leg members attached to the body at the front and rear portions in front of and to the rear of the child's legs and means interconnecting the legs and the ankles of the child for movement of the legs by the child.

2. A play animal including in combination a hollow body shaped to resemble a legged animal and having a central aperture in which a person may stand, means for fastening the body to the person, front and rear legs flexibly attached to the body in front of and to the rear of the persons legs and means connecting the front and rear legs with the persons legs whereby the person may move the animal legs.

3. A play animal including in combination a hollow body shaped to resemble a legged animal and having a central aperture in which a person may stand, means for fastening the body to the person at his waist, front and rear legs pivotally attached to the body in front of and to the rear of the persons legs and means interconnecting the animal legs to the persons legs for movement by the person.

4. A play horse including in combination a hollow body formed of two longitudinal halves and formed with a central aperture to fit a child at his waist, means for securing the halves together and means for securing the body to the child, front and rear legs pivotally connected to the body at its front and rear in front of and to the rear of the childs legs and means interconnecting the legs with the childs ankles for movement of the legs by the child.

5. A play horse including in combination a hollow body formed of two longitudinal halves and formed with a central aperture to fit a child at his waist, means for securing the halves together, front and rear legs pivotally connected to the body at its front and rear in front of and to the rear of the childs legs and means interconnecting the legs with the childs ankles for movement of the legs by the child.

6. A play horse including in combination a hollow body formed of two longitudinal halves and formed with a central aperture to fit a child at his waist, means for securing the halves together, and means for securing the body to the child, front and rear legs connected to the body at its front and rear in front of and to the rear of the childs legs, and means for causing movement of the legs by the child.

'7. A play horse including in combination a hollow body formed of two longitudinal halves and formed with a central aperture to fit a child at his waist, means for securing the halves together, a belt flexibly attached to the body at the aperture and adapted to be tightened around the childs waist, front and rear legs pivotally connected to the body at its front and rear in front of and to the rear of the childs legs and means interconnecting the legs with the childs ankles for movement of the legs by the child.

MARY ELLEN LAWRENCE. 

